Sialkot Stallionz shocks Pakistan Super League with record signing from Steve Smith
The Australian batting icon has been paid more than double the amount earned by Pakistani batting hero and former captain Babar Azam, instantly setting a new benchmark in the PSL. This signing comes just days after Smith was shockingly overlooked for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Interestingly, Smith went unsold in the IPL auction for the 2026 season in December 2025, making his PSL deal with debutant franchise Sialkot Stallionz even more dramatic for the batsman.
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Also read: Babar Azam is Pakistan’s real enemy at the 2026 T20 World Cup – and Salman Ali Agha knows it
One of two new teams added to the Pakistan Super League ahead of the 2026 season, Sialkot Stallionz wanted a global face and they wasted no time in making a statement. The former Australian captain has already joined Sialkot Stallionz ahead of the official PSL player draw.
Smith breaks PSL record with huge deal of 14 Crore
Smith is said to have been bought by Sialkot Stallions for a staggering sum of over Rs 14 crore, with the Australian superstar immediately rewriting the PSL record books. The new franchise has made it clear that they want to enter the Pakistan Super League with authority and star power by investing such a huge amount.
Smith’s price tag is historic as it is double what any other player has earned in the PSL to date. With this deal, the Australian batting icon becomes the most expensive player in PSL history. Some of Pakistan’s biggest names like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed have contracts of Rs 7 crore each.
STEVE SMITH BECOMES THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLAYER IN PSL HISTORY. 🥶
– Sialkot Stallions have signed Steve Smith for over Rs 14 crore. (Saleem Khaliq) pic.twitter.com/nkMTcauJ3o
-Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) February 5, 2026
Most expensive players in PSL history. 🇵🇰
Steve Smith – 14 crore.
Babar Azam – 7 crore.
Shaheen Afridi – 7 crore.
Shadab Khan – 7 crores.
Abrar Ahmed – 7 crore. pic.twitter.com/ZbrXqvQbmd—Salman. (@TsMeSalman) February 5, 2026
Notably, Sialkot and another new team, Kingsmen Hyderabad, have until February 6 to make outright signings for their debut seasons. After the deadline, all eight teams will head to the first-ever PSL auction on February 11, with the tournament kicking off on March 26.
Also Read: Complete list of players retained by PSL teams before the auction; Babar Azam held on, Mohammad Rizwan was kicked out
Explosive form and experience not enough as Steve Smith misses the 2026 T20 World Cup
Meanwhile, Smith was ignored for the 2026 T20 World Cup despite being in a red-hot touch. He recently dominated England at the Ashes and then carried that momentum into the 2025-2026 Big Bash League. He amassed 299 runs in just six matches for the Sydney Sixers in the 2025-2026 BBL.
He averaged almost 60 and scored at an explosive strike rate of almost 168, proving he still has plenty to offer in the shortest format of the game. During his career, he scored 6,242 runs in 272 T20 matches. His experience and overall T20 record are what the Sialkot team is proud of.
Notably, the selectors went for Matthew Renshaw, who had a strong 2025-2026 BBL season for the showpiece event. Renshaw scored 324 runs, took five wickets and was part of the BBL team of the tournament, which ultimately worked in his favor.
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